NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

It seems like we live in a constant flurry of activity.  For example, while Amy was in Thailand it was constant work for me.  There was always something that needed to be done, or worked on, or prepared.  My mind was constantly thinking of what had to be done right then and what I needed to do next so that I would not be behind and not able to catch up.  Amy’s training in Thailand was wonderful and it will be a huge boost not only for us in our language learning program, but our future teammates as well.

After she returned, I was hoping to welcome a time where I could relax a bit and let the dust settle.  However, that was not to be.  We took Donovan to the hospital to have a cyst removed, which went really great.  He is fine now and back to his normal, happy, active life.  Also, we began our Swahili lessons again, so we are back into a routine, but it is a very busy routine.  Another big step in our ministry is that Amy has started putting together all the visa application packages for the future missionaries that are coming this year!  It is a long process and a lot of paperwork, but Amy is very organized and is joyfully fulfilling this part of our ministry here. Again, I feel like the dust has not even had a chance to settle but we are continuing on. Here’s a picture of Amy and her very first completed visa application package!

Amy and her first completed visa application package!

Also, we have taken on two huge projects concerning our house; one is getting the wilderness of a yard under control, and the other is adding on a small washroom and kitchen area for our guard and house worker.  We made an agreement with the owner before we moved in that some of the rent money would be used to add on this room, so after planning everything with a builder, they are starting the work.  I’m sure the dust from these two projects are not going to settle for a while….4 weeks.  Getting the yard under control will allow us the space that we need to have a small garden so we can grow our own vegetables, and possibly a place to raise some small livestock like chickens, or rabbits.  Raising our own vegetables and meat will hopefully cut down on some of our expenses and will allow us to bless others more with small gifts of food or an animal. Here is a picture of me prepping the area where the new washroom will be.

Me working hard and sweating hard.

In the midst of all this activity (some of which can be extremely frustrating, even maddening…), we feel the joy that only God can bring.  I have been reading through Ecclesiastes lately and I have really enjoyed it.  In Ecc 3:12, it says, “I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;” and also in 3:22 it says, “I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities,”.  I know that being happy in the midst of our activities here and rejoicing in the midst of all that is going on, is really only something that God can grant to us. It is wonderful knowing that He is working through us and bringing us this joy, happiness, and contentment. We know that we are here for a purpose and God opens doors of opportunity for us all the time. This brings us joy knowing that God is continually going before us and demonstrating His providence over us.

For now, we are focusing on ministering to our own family first, and the families in our church, to our workers, and as we become more familiar and comfortable with our neighborhood the people closest to us here as well.  Our church recently purchased a building and will begin renovating it soon so that we can use the bottom floor for income (renting it out to families and businesses), and the top floor for church and we can rent it out as well for social gatherings.  The pastor and I excitedly talked about, “to whom much is given, much is required.” That means that the church has now been given much, and it must be faithful to do what is required in the future to bring God the glory that He deserves.  That’s what we’re here for; to work with the body of Christ to reach those who have not yet heard the good news. It will be a joyful day when each of the tribes of Tanzania are reached with the gospel.  We are a part of it, our churches here in Tanzania and America are a part of it, and all of you are a part of it.  Thanks for doing your part, and be blessed for all that you do.

Here are some pictures of the kids having fun.

Shelbyanne holding an African leopard tortoise the neighbors brought over.

Emily's favorite thing about our yard...the flowers!

Donovan wondering, 'why won't the tortoise come out and say HI?".

EXPERIENCE is a very good teacher.  Looking back at our house hunting EXPERIENCE from last year, we should have learned from that EXPERIENCE that it is not a simple or quick process.  Since deciding to move to a different house this year, we started the process very early, expecting to run into some speedbumps.  However, the obstacles that we are running into this time are not quite what we were expecting.  We are able to find houses that meet our criteria (and we don’t think our criteria are unreasonable or outlandish.  In fact, they are quite common for the city here.)  Our criteria are: 1) closer to the center of town for several ministry purposes. When future coworkers arrive, we want to be centrally located in order to get to all of them easily to help with their culture and language acquisition.  We also need to be more central in order to connect with more churches, so we can place future coworkers in a ‘host’ church like we were when we got here.  2) We need to be closer to the school so the kids are not having to get up so early and spend so much time on the bus, not getting back so late in the afternoon. 3) We would like 4 rooms, so we can have a small office or guestroom or both.  4) We need a room outside called staff quarters for our guard.  5) We would like a yard area for the kids to play safely outside.

Now, to find a place like that is not hard.  In fact, we have seen a handful of places that fit the criteria, but the big problem is the price.  Since we are wanting to be closer to town, the price is much higher than we can pay, much higher than what we have saved up, much higher than what we want to pay.  The lowest we have been able to negotiate so far is $1,400 per month.  And all of the owners request a full year in advance.  Well, for 12 months, that is $16,800.  We just don’t want to pay that.  We think we can wait a couple of weeks to see if they will lower the price some more, but at the same time we don’t want to lose out on these great houses.  We talk to the owners almost every day just to keep up a relationship with them, but they do not seem willing to lower the price.  We have come to learn (through EXPERIENCE) that the price they are asking for is actually close to the normal price.  It’s not just because we are foreigners or anything like that.

So, here we are, with one year of EXPERIENCE under our belts (which doesn’t actually feel like much, but we are so thankful for what we have EXPERIENCEd).  We have saved up about $10,000 in the last year, hoping that rent would be less than what we paid last year.  Now we find out that rent will be more expensive and we feel foolish for not planning better.  We are again reminded that man’s plans are not the same as God’s plans.  He wants us to depend upon Him for life.  Granted, we are doing everything that we can with what He has given us, and saving some each month in order to pay for rent next year is a big part of that.  We have been praying that He would show us the place for us, and we are continuing to pray that He would provide the funds for us to get the house that He wants us in.  You all have been with us all along the way and we thank you for standing with us even today.

We are trying to raise $8,000 in order to pay for rent for the year, along with some other expenses that we will be facing.  Our taxes are due and we may owe some this year, I’m not sure yet.  Also, Amy’s computer is dying and we need to replace it before the middle of April when she will be traveling to Thailand for a language ‘coaching’ course for our ministry.

We know that so many of you already support us on a monthly basis or at various times throughout the year and we are so very grateful for all that you do in order to be a part of this ministry.  We will be able to plan much better for next year, knowing what we know now, thanks to this EXPERIENCE.  However, right now, we are in need of these funds to fill in this gap.

Please take this before the Lord and see if He puts it on your heart to contribute for this need.  We need to raise the full amount this month in order to pay the rent and move in before the middle of April.  Please consider being a big part of this ministry by contributing to this.

Go to: www.ntm.rob_ellis/give, or click on the “Give” link toward the top of the page.

Also, attached below is our latest newsletter.  You should be getting one in the mail, but if you don’t get one and want to receive one in the future (if you want to be on our mailing list), please let us know.

Feb 12 Newsletter

And just for fun…here is a picture of the kids.  Anyone want to guess what they are all looking at?

Believe it or not, the kids (watoto) are watching some ants (sisimizi) tear apart a dead roach (mende). Hey, when you don't have cable there's a whole world out there to explore.

Hi Everybody!  Well, another month has flown by and we are now in the month of December!  At times it’s hard to believe that we have been here for 9 months now.  At other times, because of how challenging it can get, we feel like we’ve been here long enough to need a vacation!  But through it all, you all have been such a blessing.  Thank you for your prayers and financial support, which allows us to do everything that we need to do here.  God has certainly shown us that He can do amazing things.  We get opportunities each month to see God at work in the hearts of His people. We appreciate having all of you on such a great team to do this work right along with us.

Things overall are going very well here. We feel our language learning is going incredibly well.  We just started Phase 3 of our program and we were very encouraged at the results of our end of phase 2 exercises/beginning of phase 3 exercises. The other day, our language helper and I went out to do some language learning and at the same time locate an aluminum trash can.  It took about 5 hours and after walking to several shops and taking a couple of city buses, we got to a place that custom-made it for us.  It was quite a fun experience, and mostly done in Kiswahili.  Here are some pictures of it!

Our New Can Ready for Action!

Right now, we want all of you know to know some of the challenges that we are facing.

First, we are in the process of requesting a language evaluation.  There are several things that are hindering us from taking an evaluation at this point.  One of the tests we could take is provided over the internet.  We have to pay for it (which thanks to you all is no problem!), but our internet is very sketchy.  We are asking what happens if we lose the internet connection in the middle of the test.  Another test we could take we don’t feel is very thorough and might not provide us with an accurate assessment of where we should be focusing in the future.

Second, our employees are requesting a raise.  We have one houseworker, three full-time guards, and one part-time guard.  (If you want more information on these folks and why we have so many, please ask and I’ll explain more fully.)  We have work contracts with each of them, so we don’t feel like a raise is due at this time, and it is not part of the contract.  This obviously causes some tension around the house which is not helpful for what we are trying to accomplish.  We want to be sensitive, but we also don’t want to be taken advantage of in this way, while at the same time presenting a good witness.

Third, in our hearts we are feeling anxious about getting the ball rolling to establish our organization here (we’ve even been brainstorming a name…such as, “Ndiyo, Twende Makabila” which could be shortened to NTM and which means ‘Yes, let’s go to the tribes’!).  We are so far from being ready to do this, but nevertheless we are getting anxious to begin the process.  We will be hosting some folks from the NTM USA leadership next month, and we will use some of that time to talk about some of the issues.  Also, our first teammates will be arriving at the end of January and we are very excited to have others here in country.  They will be able to provide a lot of insight into how to get the process rolling.

Lastly, (but certainly not least) it IS December and we are truly missing being with all of our family and friends.  I think a big thing we are all missing this year is the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant.  Amy started playing Christmas music around the house yesterday and it was so funny watching the kids sing and dance to it.  We love you all and miss you very much.  We pray that the Lord showers you with great blessings at this time for the ways you serve Him and give to His work.

All for Jesus,

Rob, Amy, Shelbyanne, Emily, & Donovan

I cooked two turkeys at the same time!

          

Put the can over the turkeys...add charcoal.

Hey, that's me! Ready to unveil the turkeys after just one hour of cooking.

TAAADAAAA! Two turkeys cooked to perfection...they were delicious.

URGENT NEED! Good morning family, friends, and partners in ministry.  We HAVE FOUND A HOUSE!  We are so excited at what the Lord has opened for us!  We have bartered with the owner and he is willing to accept $1,000 per month, which is quite a wonderful bargain for what we are getting.  The only problem is that he needs ONE YEAR of rent up front…that’s $12,000.  We don’t have that much on hand.  We had budgeted for some set-up expenses, but not that much.  We have some funds set aside to furnish a home, but we need the rent payment.  We can’t let this opportunity pass us by, so we need your help and support in order to get into this building.  It’s not just a house, it will also provide the space we need for a small office and guest room for when future missionaries arrive on the field.  We are praying that the Lord would put it on your heart to give to this urgent need in order to get our feet under us.  This is the next big step in Reaching Tanzania, thank you for your part.  To give, go to www.ntm.org/rob-ellis/give.

Or, send a check to New Tribes Mission.  Make the check payable to New Tribes Mission, but designate the funds to Rob and Amy Ellis Ministry on the bottom left of the check.

NTM

1000 E. First St.

Sanford, FL 32771

Habari za jioni marafiki wangu wote!  Good evening all my friends!  This is a brief update on a couple of hot topics.

Our language training is going very well!  We feel like we are absorbing so much.  It feels almost miraculous.  God has made us with minds and tongues that are absorbing Swahili apparently, so we are loving it.  We want to ensure that the learning process continues when we return to the city, so please pray for structure, opportunity, and courage to continue progressing.

The biggest thing on our mind right now is housing.  We really, really want to settle on a place by mid-April.  We recently learned of one unfortunate development: the “realtors” (term used very loosely) want to charge us a full months’ rent as a finders fee.  Also, the way they do rent here is you pay for 6 months up front.  We have to agree to pay the finders fee in order to see any houses.  Please pray that something adequate and workable opens up for us; a house that is going to be a blessing to us and a place where we can bless others.  Please pray with us for this house.  The Lord knows our needs and our hearts.  Also pray for the Lord to provide the extra funds in order to pay these fees and other things that I’m sure are going to come up. We are close to 100% support, but are not there yet so this news is another opportunity where we are learning to place our trust in God and watch Him work.  If the Lord puts in on your heart to give, click here.

Thanks to all of you for your part on this team to reach Tanzania.  It is quite an honor to co-labor with you.

Hujambo!  Karibu! That means Hello!  Welcome!  These are two phrases we have become familiar with since our arrival in Tanzania.  We have taken a ride from end of the spectrum of emotions all the way to the other end, and  it hasn’t even been two weeks yet!  We got set up in some temporary living quarters at a convent, which has been so helpful.  They clean and cook for us while we look for housing, take our Swahili language sessions, and attempt to keep our kids occupied.  All they want to do is play in the dirt, but we quickly found out that there are several things in the dirt that their bodies are not used to and they broke out in rashes.  So…no more dirt which is kind of hard to do since it is everywhere.  Nevertheless, we are all doing excellent!  One very cool thing is that we are all growing in our walk with the Lord.  As we spend time with Him in His word and experience Him new each day, we grow closer to our loving Father.

The house hunting has not gone well.  The places we have been shown are either insufficient or still under renovations (“it should be ready in 3 weeks” is the standard answer but you know how that goes).  Anyway, the search has been called off for now because….get ready for it….we are heading north to attend a 3-week Swahili course.  We are so excited about this since diving into the language in the area where we will be living is much more difficult than we could have expected.  We need a basic working knowledge of the language in order to get around and buy food, furnish the house, and take care of our family.  This language school will give us a big head start.

We will resume the house hunting when we return in mid-April.

Please pray for our housing.  We are praying that the Lord will not only meet our needs, but also some of our wants.  We need space to make sure we are not only able to minister, but to thrive and enjoy our ministry here.  Also, the way that rent works here is that you pay 6-months of rent up-front, so that is an expense that will come out of the money that we have apportioned as set-up costs.  In order to furnish our house we are trying to raise about another $8,000.  If you would like to give toward this, please contact us or go to www.ntm.org/rob-ellis/give.  We thank the Lord for providing for us, and thank you for being a part of that.

Nothing could have prepared us for the differences that we have encountered here.  The Lord really knew what He was doing when He gave us a heart for the people of Tanzania.  It is not natural to want to be here with all the differences.  We are definitely enjoying it, even with the drastic differences in the culture, food, and tempo (all of which could be summed in the term “worldview”).  Pray that our time here results in a world of difference for the people of Tanzania and our family.

Another thing that has been on my mind lately is that our church in Fort Lauderdale is around 2500, while our church here is around 25.  Praise the Lord for the Body of Christ and how He designed it to function together.

Keep lifting us up in prayer and thanking God for the opportunity to be a part of what He is doing here in Tanzania!